GRE Vocabulary — Group 17

To opine is to voice one's own judgment or belief on a matter, usually without being asked.

Opprobrium is the intense scorn and loss of reputation a person suffers after doing something widely seen as disgraceful.

To move or change repeatedly between two positions, states, or opinions.

Someone overweening displays such inflated pride or ambition that they disregard reasonable limits.

A panacea is a single fix that is believed, often naively, to solve every kind of problem at once.

Something parochial reflects a limited, small-scale perspective that ignores broader or more diverse viewpoints.

Something pellucid is so transparent or plainly expressed that it can be understood or seen through without any effort.

Penury describes a state of severe want, in which a person lacks even basic necessities.

A peripatetic person or lifestyle involves constant movement between different locations rather than staying in one place.

Something piquant has an appealingly sharp quality, whether it's a zesty taste or a lively, thought-provoking idea.

Something portentous carries a heavy sense of foreboding, as if it were a sign of a significant event to come.

A prescient observation is one that correctly anticipates future events before they occur.

Probity is the quality of being completely honest and principled, especially in situations that test one's character.

A proclivity is an ingrained preference or habitual leaning toward a particular kind of behavior.

A profligate person spends resources so carelessly and excessively that ruin often follows.

A prolix speech or piece of writing drags on excessively, burying its point under unnecessary length.

A propitious sign or moment suggests conditions are right for something to go well.

Something protean can shift easily between many different forms, roles, or styles.

Something quiescent is currently dormant or still, though it may become active again later.

A quip is a short, sharp joke or comment made on the spot, valued for its cleverness rather than depth.

Something quotidian is so routine and common that it blends into the background of everyday life.

A raconteur has a gift for narrating anecdotes in a way that consistently captivates an audience.

To rebuff someone is to turn down their proposal or advance sharply, often leaving no room for further discussion.

To recant is to publicly take back something you once claimed to believe, usually under pressure or after a change of heart.

A recluse chooses to withdraw from social contact, preferring solitude to the company of others.